North Carolina's John Isner won a wild card spot in the 2009 Australian Open by beating Jesse Levine 6-3, 7-5.
Donald Young, Wayne Odesnik, Jesse Levine and Isner of Greensboro, N.C. competed at the USTA Training Center in Boca Raton, Fla. for a chance to advance to the Australian Open. According to a cooperation agreement between the Grand Slams, Tennis Australia offers a wild card to American and Asian players. Instead of flying to Australia, the wild card competitiors faced off in the U.S.
When it was all over the 145th ranked Isner was victorious.
Young of Atlanta defeated Odesnik in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. The match between Young and Levine to determine second place, scheduled for Dec. 21, was cancelled when Levine withdrew.
Christina McHale earned her first career Grand Slam singles main draw entry to the 2009 Australian Open, defeating Gail Brodsky, 6-1, 6-0, in the final of the USTA's Australian Open wild card playoffs on December 18. Among the other American women competing for the spot was Mallory Cecil of Spartanburg, S.C.